We are like this china cup! We are fragile, we are broken by life but the gold glittered glue that can hold us together is our Creator God! He wants to use the cracks to draw us closer to Him so He can put the pieces together. Our refining is our testimony of His plans and purposes. Run to Him for the help and wisdom.
Make us a vessel for Your Kingdoms purpose, Father, Son, Holy Spirit! Pray to Him before you get out of bed. Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, mold me and make me more like You. Orchestrate my words, my steps and actions. Bring Your power, might , wisdom, and truth. in Jesus Name, Amen!
Psalm 40:1-3 AMP I waited patiently and expectantly for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. [2] He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path. [3] He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear [with great reverence] And will trust confidently in the LORD.
Submit to His transforming power, be transformed into what He already knows you are called to be.
Hebrews 4:8-16 MSG And so this is still a live promise. It wasn’t canceled at the time of Joshua; otherwise, God wouldn’t keep renewing the appointment for “today.” The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God. So let’s keep at it and eventually arrive at the place of rest, not drop out through some sort of disobedience. [12-13] God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one can resist God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. [14-16] Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.
New Wine- Hillsong worship
He has great plans. Take the mercy, accept the help from the One who knows you best! Take the free gift of new life, be a new wine skin, filled to overflow by His anointing in the Holy Spirit. Be His vessel!
There is so many distractions meant to make us feel fear, despair, discouragement and anxiety. The foundations of our life are shaking. There’s flashing lights in one direction. There’s darkness in the world, there’s chaos in leadership, there’s even attempts to cause fear over logic.
We have been given a sound mind, we must use it for truth!
Our eyes see an uncertain world, our bodies feel an unknown shaking, our feet feel the ground move. It’s kind of like feeling the ground shake, and not knowing where the earthquake comes from. Our uncertain feeling brings heartache and we feel ourselves distract from our focus on God to focus on circumstance.
Focus by MM
I suppose it’s no different than having a teenager get a drivers license or even before that happens, passing a permit test and teaching your teen how to safely drive in a road full of cars. The potential problems of road rage, distracted driving of others, or your teen are possible. The use of alcohol or marijuana or any other drug is a hazard that we pray does not affect our family.
The Bible reminds us through scripture to fix our eyes on him and his plans and promises.
Proverbs 4:20-26 NLT My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. [21] Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, [22] for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. [23] Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. [24] Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. [25] Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. [26] Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path.
So where is your focus? Is it on the circumstance, the future of the world, the chaos in relationships?
Philippians 4:8-9 NLT And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. [9] Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me-everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
The only way we can have a peace that surpasses all understanding is trusting in the God who knows the future. Despite the flashing lights, despite media, despite the anxieties and fears of the world, despite the darkness: He is the Alpha and Omega! He is the beginning and the end. He is el Shaddai, He is Elohim! His Word is life not death and darkness. His word is hope despite what we see.
So when the ground is shaking, your mind is overwhelmed, hold onto Scripture truths to meditate on bring peace:
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. [6] Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Isaiah 40:28-31 AMP Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become tired or grow weary; There is no searching of His understanding. [29] He gives strength to the weary, And to him who has no might He increases power. [30] Even youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, [31] But those who wait for the LORD [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] Will gain new strength and renew their power; They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun]; They will run and not become weary, They will walk and not grow tired.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 AMP For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the LORD, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. [12] Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. [13] Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Our endurance can be built on our faith in God. One of my first memorized scriptures is from Romans. Let your endurance be built in the same way. Focus on the Lord!
Endurance by MM
Anne Wilson’s song, “Strong” is an anthem of faith and trust in God despite circumstances. Let it be a great melody of your faith in Him.
Created from the dust, Adam was created by our Creator God! We are his descendents, we are dust! Just as the Lord breathed His breath of life into Adam, The same Creator God breathes life into us.
Deep breath! Go ahead take another deep breath! Breathe deep and slow to 4 counts! Now slowly release that loving lung filled oxygen, to a count of 7. Clear out the crud you may have been fighting to clear ( just like me this month), deep breathe and clear out the clogged bronchioles.
Awe, feel the awe of a cleared mind by a cleared lung. We have work to do. He knows how weak we are, He breathes His strength to heal.
Psalm 103:13-19 NLT [13] The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. [14] For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. [15] Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. [16] The wind blows, and we are gone- as though we had never been here.
The wind blows, our days on earth are unknown. What are you doing with your time?
17] But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children [18] of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! [19] The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.
He made the heavens and the earth! He made all things. He is faithful to His children. He is faithful to those who obey His commands. His love extends to those who fear Him, in reverence and awe.
Fear of God by Brooke Ligertwood. What a powerful anthem of the praise and power when we have the fear of God!
Fear of God
Brooke sings, “Lift up your voice if God has called you to, He will give you supernatural power to do the work He calls you to do”. The Word of God supports this promise from our Creator God.
Psalm 103:8-22 NLT The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. [9] He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. [10] He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. [11] For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. [12] He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. [13] The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. [14] For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. [15] Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. [16] The wind blows, and we are gone- as though we had never been here. [17] But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children [18] of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! [19] The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything. [20] Praise the LORD, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. [21] Yes, praise the LORD, you armies of angels who serve him and do his will! [22] Praise the LORD, everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom. Let all that I am praise the LORD.
He knows we are weak, He gives love unconditionally, let me say it again, His love remains forever with those who fear Him (respect and honor)! Praise Him alone!
2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT [5] You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. [6] For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. [7] We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.
2 Corinthians 4 reminds us, we are fragile clay jars but contain a great treasure. Our great power comes from God! Plug into the source of all Light and illuminate His power as you walk in His ways!
Anointing oil was used in the beginning of the Bible in Exodus and it is relevant for us today! We were shown an example of the calling into the Kingdom of God with Moses and Aaron.
Exodus 29: 1 -9 Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons, to serve God as priests, and as a result in that particular scripture, anointing oil was poured over Aarons’ head to anoint him so he could bring Godly wisdom to the people.
As moms, dads, sisters, and brothers, we are called to seek wisdom from God, first, and to share it with our children. In connection with the Old Testament use of anointing oil, we use anointing oil because we are set apart; our homes and our children affect generations.
As believers under the new covenant, we are Holy by faith and the Holy Spirit working in us. The anointing oil is a New Testament mystery. We use it by faith because the apostles used it and we follow their example as Christ’s followers!
Isn’t it amazing to think God gives us the tools, the weapons of warfare so that we can guide our children and our families? We have many tools at our disposal: accepting Him as Lord and Savior, seeking the Holy Spirit, believing He is the wisdom giver including his gifts in words and tongues, prayer and intercession with Him, praise for His goodness, quality time in His Word, fasting, fellowship, and accountability with fellow believers, and anointing oil is essential to our healing.
Psalm 133:1-3 (msg) “How wonderful, how beautiful and brothers and sisters get along. It’s costly anointing oil flowing down his head and beard flowing down Aaron’s beard flowing down the collar of the priestly robes just like the dew on Mount Herman. This is where God commands the blessing, and ordains eternal life”.
1 Samuel 16:1 -13 (msg) (paraphrase)shares how Samuel was called to find a new king, and how God directed Samuel to fill his flask with anointing oil and sent him to Jesse of Bethlehem. Samuel was afraid because he was afraid of Saul. the current king would kill him and yet Samuel listened to God. Samuel followed God‘s directions, and ultimately this him to Jesse’s sons. None of the sons were considered by God to be worthy of being anointed to be the next King. Even Samuel was surprised as he went through each one of the sons, all seven, and Samuel was blunt with Jesse, and said, “Where is your other son”, then Jesse said in verse 12 “My last son the runt is tending sheep” and that was David so in verse 13 Samuel took the flask of oil, anointed David with his brothers standing around watching, and the Spirit of God entered David like a rushing wind and God vitally empowered David for the rest of his life.
So why do we use anointing oil as a spiritual weapon?
Mark 6:13 (KJV) “And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them”. Isaiah 10:27(KJV) “It will come to pass, and that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck of the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil”. James 5:14 (KJV) says “Anyone sick among you let him call the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing with oil in the name of the Lord.”
How do we use anointing oil? I use essential oil, but you can use olive oil. Frankincense is my favorite as the home smells of the essence of Jesus ( it was at His birth and death)! Carry your Bible and declare these scriptures included in this discussion as needed. You do not battle alone He strengthens you!
Read Psalm 91 anointing your home windows and doors.
Psalm 91:1-16 NLT Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. [3] For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly diseases. [4] He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. [5] Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. [6] Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. [7] Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. [8] Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. [9] If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, [10] no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. [11] For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. [12] They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. [13] You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! [14] The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. [15] When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. [16] I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”
Pray God’s blessing on all who live in your home and enter it.
Anoint yourself and your family: Pray God’s provision and goodness with gratitude.
Matthew 11:28-30 ( at the neck base of the skull), anoint pillows (the visual for a yoke is an oxen attached to another to provide direction in the fields and plow for a harvest) Jesus wants us to submit or yoke ourselves to Him!
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Deuteronomy 28:1,3-6 NLT “If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully keep all his commands that I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the world’s nations. [3] Your towns and your fields will be blessed. [4] Your children and your crops will be blessed. The offspring of your herds and flocks will be blessed. [5] Your fruit baskets and breadboards will be blessed. [6] Wherever you go and whatever you do, you will be blessed.
Psalm 84:11 NLT For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.
Psalm 4:8 NLT In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
Mark 12:29-30 NLT Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. [30] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’
Use the spiritual weapons given to us by God, Ephesians 6, and live in spiritual, emotional, and physical health by the blood of Jesus despite life circumstances!
3 John 1:2 NLT Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.
Surprise, life can make you weary? Things can seem upbeat and positive one moment, calm periods of blissful peace and then just as an ocean has swirls, huge waves like a tsunami return, so reflective of our lives. As the tide turns, so does our life circumstances.
I used to think challenges were a punishment because I failed to achieve perfection by some anonymous standard. However, the more I ponder life I see opportunity to ask God, “what are you trying to teach me? Open my eyes to what I need to see in relationships, in myself that needs adjustment, or how can I grow deeper with You, Lord?”
The challenges can cause weariness and lead us to despair unless we share the burdens with our Savior Jesus.
Did you know even the most known men and women in the Bible have had times of weariness? So when you feel weary and exhausted by the daily circumstances, rejoice, you are in present company with the family of faith. Press on with God!
Moses had many times of feeling overwhelmed, in Exodus 17, he needed extra support from his relationship with God and his friends to lead the Israelites from Egypt. Jonathon, the best friend of David became weary watching his father Saul plan to kill David multiple times. David became weary being chased knowing Saul wanted him dead. Job was weary after multiple despairs in health, family deaths, loss of his status, and more.
Scriptures that remind us to find strength in God:
Jesus felt the weariness of His disciples and He gave a call for their weariness. Matthew 11 is a great reminder to seek Him.
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
David wrote many psalms describing his weariness and yet gratitude for Gods’ faithfulness.
Psalm 63:1-5 NLT O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. [2] I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. [3] Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! [4] I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. [5] You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.
Psalm 119:27-32 NLT Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. [28] I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. [29] Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. [30] I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. [31] I cling to your laws. LORD, don’t let me be put to shame! [32] I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding.
Isaiah carried the burden of prophet to people who refused to listen to the Lords instructions. He was shunned, he was laughed at yet he still spoke the truth of God. One of my favorite scriptures to post in my home is Isaiah 40:28-31.
Isaiah 40:28-31 NLT Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. [29] He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. [30] Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. [31] But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
We can grow weary moment to moment. We can spin our anxiety into a spider web of knots that entangle our minds and souls or we can meditate on His Word. His Word can illuminate the truth that mattered in the old examples of faith in the Bible. His truth still matters today.
Galatians 6:9-10 NLT So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. [10] Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone-especially to those in the family of faith.
Don’t give up, instead, dig into the Word of God, the Bible! It is just the right wisdom for a new year and new life. May 2024 bring you more insight, more peace and hope despite the distractions in life. Stay the course with God! He didn’t leave or forsake His people in the past nor will He leave you in the future.
Inspiring Light Through the Cracks 